Take me out to the ball game!

Photo: Opening Day by:Nystarsandstripes.com

I’m so tired of Blake Griffin being all over ESPN and waiting for the news of this lockout to get settled. Finally, I have Opening Day to look forward to. Only two more days!

I’m excited! Who doesn’t love baseball season? The sound of a wooden bat as it hits the ball out of the park, the smell of popcorn and fresh cut grass that fills the air and of course lets not forget the view of the players that are spread throughout the field. It doesn’t matter if your young or old, a boy or a girl baseball is America’s favorite past time and can be enjoyed by everyone.

However, Opening Day is not like any other day. Hall of Fame pitcher Early Wynn, said it best, "An opener is not like any other game. There's that little extra excitement, a faster beating of the heart. You have that anxiety to get off to a good start, for yourself and for the team. You know that when you win the first one, you can't lose 'em all."

Opening Day marks the beginning of a new Major League Baseball season. Many feel that the occasion represents a newness or a chance to forget last season, in that the 30 major league clubs and their millions of fans begin with 0-0 record.

This one day is important to baseball fans everywhere, because it has not only made an impact in the history of the MLB, but it has also made an impact on the loyal fans.

Photo: Opening Day Astros by Blwarren713, CC Approved

Historical Events of Opening Day

1876-1989 The MLB first recognized the Cincinnati Reds and awarded the franchise the privilege of the “opening the Openers.”

1907 The New York Giants opened against the Phillies. After falling 3-0 the disappointed fan at Polo Grounds began to throw snowballs, which disrupted the game. The fans then fled the field caused the umpire to call a forfeit in favor of the Phillies.

1910 Opening Day has also become a "political pitcher's" arena for U.S. Presidents to show their "stuff." On April 14, 1910, President, and baseball enthusiast, William Howard Taft attended the home opener in Washington D.C. Since then, eleven sitting U.S. presidents have tossed out the season's ceremonial first pitch.

1939 Ted Williams was a .449 hitter in openers, with three home runs and fourteen runs batted in during fourteen games. "Teddy Ballgame" also boasted at least one hit in every Opening Day game he appeared in. Williams' first Opening Day was especially noteworthy as he faced the rival New York Yankees and Lou Gehrig, who was playing in his 2,123rd consecutive game.

1940 The most famous pitching events as Cleveland ace Bob Feller and White Sox hurler Eddie Smith went head-to-head. Smith blinked, but Feller remained in control and tossed the only Opening Day no-hitter in Major League history.

1974 Hammerin' Hank Aaron ignited the crowd at Riverfront Stadium on his first swing of the 1974 season when he tagged Cincinnati Reds for his 714th career home run to tie Babe Ruth on the all-time list.

Opening day has and always will be a historical and monumental day for baseball fans. Let's wait and see what happens April 1, as the teams face off for the first time of the regular 2011 season.


Sources:
Wikipedia.com
BaseballAlmanac.com